I’m a huge fan of watching videos of the great college coaches. John Wooden, Bobby Knight and most recently Paul “Bear” Bryant, the famed Alabama football coach are some of my favorites. Over the weekend, I watched a quick 2 min. video of Coach Bryant talking to incoming freshmen football players, it must have been from the 1960’s. The link is at the end of this article.

Coach Bryant ranked players on a talent score of 100 max. In the video he says that a player with a talent score of 75 could beat an opposing player with a talent score of 85 through preparation, desire and doing the “little things”. He says that the “little things” make the difference in getting a player with less talent ready to beat a player with more talent, and I couldn’t agree more.

This concept holds true in business as well. How often have we seen a less talented employee outperform an employee with a much better pedigree? I see it all the time, because of preparation, desire and the ability to do the little things well over a long period of time.

But what are the little things that make the difference in today’s marketplace?

Here is my list of 8 “little things” that will help you win regardless of the competition you are up against:

Sunday preparation: Be ready for Monday by preparing on Sunday. Don’t let your week start you off…you start your week off… by having a predetermined plan that is created on Sunday night.

Skill up daily: I believe you need to work on your skills for a minimum of 1 hour per day. Who are you listening to, ready about, watching, or speaking with for 1 hour each day?

Fill your calendar: NO white space. Fill the damn thing to the brim each and every day.

Give something away: Send your clients something for FREE each week. An article, a link to a video, a copy of a chapter in a book, or maybe a new concept. Get comfortable giving stuff away vs. always being on the take.

Come in earlier/Stay later: Yes…work more hours than your competitors either inside or outside your office.

Know where you rank: Are you in the top, middle or bottom of the pack? You need to know where you currently rank within your company or your industry. Remember, you are compensated equal to the amount of value you bring to the situation.

Develop a “I WANT TO WIN ATTITUDE”: If you don’t want to beat the competition and WIN – you won’t. Around every corner there is now someone gunning for you, and you simply have to want to win to put yourself in a position to win.

Smile more: yes…smile more. Don’t let the process of success and winning beat you down…smile and enjoy it. My top guys are happy and they smile a lot during the day.

Here is the link to the video I mentioned above. Enjoy!

Coach “Bear” Bryant Locker Room Speech

About the Author

Matt Manero is the Founder and President of Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. (CFF) located in Dallas, TX. CFF is celebrating its 21st year in business and provides financing for commercial fleet vehicles such as box trucks, cargo vans, big rigs, tow trucks, dump trucks and construction equipment. CFF is the proud recipient of the 2014 & 2015 Inc. Magazine Top 500/5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. Matt has helped dozens of employees and thousands of small business owners move closer to the money they deserve. He is the author of, “The Grit” and his latest book, “I NEED MORE MONEY” will be out in the fall of 2016. Learn more at www.cffnationwide.com or call 972.247.8447 phone on twitter @mattmanero.

Your reality has you handcuffed and you have stalled, flat lined, maybe even started the slow, easy spiral of death. Death caused by living in your current reality vs. living in the future.

I have been fortunate to spend time with some very successful people in the last few years. One common trait that they ALL have is they do not live in the past (ever), or even the present…they live in the future. They tell me about what they are going to do, what’s next for them and they want to only talk about the same topics with me. What am I going to do? What’s the next big thing I’m working on? What does my future look like?

I balked at this line of thinking for many, many years. I thought I would only be viewed for my actual accomplishments vs. my dreams, and I was wrong. The only people who want to talk about what you have already done are people who have not achieved what you have. The players, the influencers, the billionaires want to talk about the future. Stop worrying about if you have accomplished enough to gain influence. Start building your future, and don’t be afraid to tell the world about it.

Here is my action plan to bust you out of your current reality and get you building a new one:

You need to dream. Just sit back, put your feet up and dream. Dream about anything you want. A new home in Malibu, a dream vacation climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, a supermodel spouse, whatever…the crazier the better.

Write it down on paper. Something happens when the pen hits the paper…you get closer to reaching your dreams…they start to become goals.

Print physical pictures of it. I want to start to see pictures of your dreams on your bathroom mirror, on the rear view mirror of your car, in your wallet for you to see every time you open it.

Take Action. Call the real estate agent and tell her you want to go see $2,000,000 homes. It doesn’t matter that you can’t afford it. You need to see your future, and you will want to know the size of your new closet and kitchen island and pool with a swim up bar.

Run the #’s. Figure out how you are going to get there. How many deals, how many sales, how much income per month (after taxes), how much will you need to make to afford your dreams.

ANYTHING LEGAL…ANYTHING. Now do anything legal…anything to make yours dreams a reality. Because once you reach them, you will want to recalibrate at the new levels and do this process all over again.

Remember, the players already know you are good, that’s why you have their attention. Don’t bore them with your past or your present. They get excited about your future and you should too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matt Manero is the Founder and President of Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. (CFF) located in Dallas, TX. CFF is celebrating its 21st year in business and provides financing for commercial fleet vehicles such as box trucks, cargo vans, big rigs, tow trucks, dump trucks and construction equipment. CFF is the proud recipient of the 2014 & 2015 Inc. Magazine Top 500/5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. Matt has helped dozens of employees and thousands of small business owners move closer to the money they deserve. He is the author of, “The Grit” and his latest book, “I NEED MORE MONEY” will be out in the fall of 2016. Learn more at www.cffnationwide.com or call 972.247.8447 phone on twitter @mattmanero.

DALLAS, TX, April 11, 2016 –As further proof that video content within the transportation industry is on everyone’s radar, CFFNATION.COM, the #1 online network specifically for the transportation industry has inked a content arrangement with Roku.com and AppleTV. ROADGRIT.TV produces over 30 shows and hundreds of episodes and has created media cross over exposure for hosts such as Big John Dury aka “The Dancing Trucker” and Dr. Ish Major. Dury has become a spokesperson for Progressive Insurance – Commercial and Ish has become a reality star on WE.TV. As part of the arrangement, CFFNATION.COM will change its name to ROADGRIT.TV and become a fixture channel on Roku.com and AppleTV.

“Video content that profiles the transportation industry has a huge global audience, and we are have been the pioneers as evidenced by our viewer growth.” Said Matt Manero, Founder of ROADGRIT.TV. “This content sharing arrangement with Roku.com and AppleTV, along with our name change provides a massive opportunity for the world to see our amazing content and give a perspective into the lives of hard working people in the transportation industry. We expect to have over 100 shows and thousands of episodes by the end of 2016. Our audience and the marketplace has a massive appetite for video, audio and webinars that cover topics like health, fitness, cooking, financing, insurance, repair and maintenance, and actual building of really cool stuff. ROADGRIT.TV is now the premier network for transportation related content”

Started as a network to help truckers learn how to financing their big rigs, ROADGRIT.TV quickly took on a life of its own and began to create content connected to audience demand. The content is created by individual hosts as well as within the ROADGRIT.TV production studios in Dallas, TX. ROADGRIT.TV, in addition to having hundreds of video episodes, also produces podcasts for each episode. The podcasts are available on Itunes, Stitcher and on ROADGRIT.TV for the audience to listen to.

ABOUT ROADGRIT.TV

Created by a partnership between Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. (Dallas, TX) and 2MarketMedia (NYC), Roadgrit.TV has quickly become the premier online digital network that informs, educates and entertains the transportation industry.

For Immediate Release
(Carrollton, TX) CFFNation, the only network devoted entirely to transportation industry news and entertainment has announced the premier of Road Grit TV. The new show premiers Dec 18, 2015 only on CFFNation.com and features segments covering important topics in the transportation industry. Road Grit TV is sponsored by Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. based in Carrollton Texas. The show promises to offer news, entertainment, opinions and commentary on hot topics that affect transportation industry. The show’s target audience includes everyone from truckers to owner operators to CEO’s of transportation companies.

CFFNation has been hosting a variety of shows with the goal of educating, informing and entertaining the transportation industry for over a year, and is poised for continued growth in 2016 .

“Road Grit TV is the first of its kind and will provide an amazing outlet for those on the inside of the industry. Road Grit TV’s goal is to educate and entertain the hard working men and women of the transportation industry .” Said Matt Manero, Host of Road Grit TV and President Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc.

Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. (CFF) is headquartered in Carrollton Texas and is an industry leader in new and used equipment financing. CFF operates CFFNATION.COM, the first online digital network designed to educate, inform and entertain the massive transportation industry. CFF is celebrating 20 years in business and is the recipient of the 2014 and 2015 Inc. 500 – 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. With over $100,000,000 in annual funding of commercial vehicles like box trucks, cargo vans, big rigs, tow trucks, dump trucks and construction equipment, CFF is a leader in the equipment finance market. Stay informed and up to date on transportation industry news visit CFFNation.com and Subscribe to the CFF YouTube Channel.

(Plover, WI) Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced that they will launch a new show this fall on CFFNATION.COM The WIT Show will focus on issues and topics related to women in the transportation industry and will air exclusively on CFFNATION.COM.

Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. and their media partner, 2MarketMedia, created CFFNATION.COM as the first digital network dedicated to the transportation industry. The network hosts a variety of shows with the goal of educating and entertaining the transportation industry.

“The WIT Show is the first of its kind and will highlight influential women in the trucking industry. We are excited to partner with CFFNATION.COM and tell the stories of the amazing women in our industry.” Ellen Voie, President, President and CEO of WIT

The WIT show will air weekly starting this fall on CFFNATION.COM. Viewers can expect an interview-style show with Ellen Voie, WIT President/CEO, as the host.

“We are excited the welcome the newest member to the CFFNATION.COM family, Women In Trucking, and adding The WIT Show to the CFFNATION.COM line up. We look forward to supporting this awesome organization.” Matt Manero, President Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc.

Women In Trucking Association, Inc. is a nonprofit association established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Membership is not limited to women, as 16 percent of its members are men who support the mission. Women In Trucking is supported by its members and the generosity of Gold Level Partners: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Daimler Trucks North America, GE Capital Transportation Finance, Great Dane Trailers, J.B. Hunt Transport, Ryder System, Inc., U.S. Xpress, and Walmart. For more information, visit www.womenintrucking.org. Follow WIT on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. (CFF) is headquartered in Carrollton Texas and is an industry leader in new and used equipment financing. CFF operates CFFNATION.COM, the first online digital network designed to educate, inform and entertain the massive transportation industry. CFF is celebrating 20 years in business and is the recipient of the 2014 and 2015 Inc. 500 – 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. With over $100,000,000 in annual funding of commercial vehicles like box trucks, cargo vans, big rigs, tow trucks, dump trucks and construction equipment, CFF is a leader in the equipment finance market. For information visit https://commercialfleetfinancing.com.

ABOUT 2MARKETMEDIA – 2MM handpicks and collaborates with cool, interesting and edgy individuals and businesses who want to expand their platform. For more information visit 2MarketMedia.com.

Who will win Truck Tank 2015?

Watch the finale of Truck Tank tonight at 7:00 CST. On tonight’s episode we will see who wins $5000 and year of business coaching from branding expert Bethany Williams. Truck Tank was recorded at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas Texas.

CFFNation.com is the first digital network dedicated to the hard working men and women of the transportation industry. CFFNation is powered by Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. and features original programs intended to educate, entertain and inform about all things transportation.

(Carrollton, TX) – The Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at SMU Cox has announced that Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. has been named to the Dallas 100. This elite list showcases the 100 fastest growing private companies in North Texas.

“It is such an honor to be included in this list of amazing companies in the best city for business in the country, Dallas Texas.” Commented Matt Manero

For the last 25 years, SMU Cox has annually ranked the top 100 Dallas entrepreneurial companies based on sales growth over a designated period. Award winners for the 2015 Dallas 100 were chosen on increased growth in sales, giving weight to percentage of growth and absolute dollar growth, during the three-year span from 2012 to 2014.

“The incredible growth and performance of the Dallas 100 winners is a tribute to the dynamic and vibrant entrepreneurial community in which we live,” said Jerry White, director of the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at SMU Cox. “The Dallas economy has been driven by entrepreneurs since its founding. With today’s entrepreneurs, investors and supporting professionals, the economic future of our area and beyond looks bright indeed.”

About SMU Cox

The Cox School of Business (cox.smu.edu), originally established in Dallas in 1920 on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and was named in honor of benefactor Edwin L. Cox in 1978. SMU Cox offers a full range of highly-ranked undergraduate and graduate business education programs: BBA, Full-Time MBA, Fast Track MBA, Professional MBA (PMBA), Executive MBA (EMBA), JD/MBA, MA/MBA, Master of Science (MS) in Accounting, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Finance, MS in Management, MS in Sport Management, as well as Executive Education and multiple certificate programs. The school also offers a number of unique resources and activities for students, including the Business Leadership Center (BLC), the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship, the Folsom Institute for Real Estate, the Maguire Energy Institute, the Global Leadership Program and the Associate Board Executive Mentoring Program, as well as an international alumni network with chapters in more than 20 countries.

About Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc.

Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. (CFF) is headquartered in Carrollton Texas and is an industry leader in new and used equipment financing. CFF operates CFFNATION.COM, the first online digital network designed to educate, inform and entertain the massive transportation industry. CFF is celebrating 20 years in business and is the recipient of the 2014 Inc. 500 – 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. With over $100,000,000 in annual funding of commercial vehicles like box trucks, cargo vans, big rigs, tow trucks, dump trucks and construction equipment, CFF is a leader in the equipment finance market.

Truck Tank Episode 3 will air tonight only on CFFNation.com 7:00pm CST.

CFFNation.com is the first digital network dedicated to the transportation industry. Truck Tank is an entrepreneur pitch contest filmed at the Great American Trucking Show, held in Dallas Texas.

The third episode features the final five contestants pitching their ideas to our esteemed panel of judges. Tonight’s pitches include an app designed to help trucking companies retain their drivers and a series of children books that tell the story of a dump truck drivers daily challenges and victories. These entrepreneurs traveled from all over the US to have a chance to take their idea to the next level with the help of our judges, RJ Grimshaw, Bethany Williams, Don Daseke, and Matt Manero.

The winners of Truck Tank will receive a minimum of $5000 courtesy of Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc, and one year of business coaching from Bethany Williams the host of Home Made Money.

Watch this exciting episode of truck tank and see who will win and who will get tanked!

John Drury “The Dancing Trucker” and Dr. Ish Major, host of Sex Drive on CFFNation have both announced that they are working on exciting new projects.

Dr. Ish Major, a New York City based psychiatrist, has wrapped shooting of his new show, Ex-Isle, which will air on WE tv in 2016. According to the network description, Ex-Isle helps former couples break free from one another in order to move on and form new, healthy relationships. 10 one hour shows will air on We tv, hosted by Carmen Electra. Production is currently underway.

The show takes place at the beautiful Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic. This is where five former couples with help from Dr. Ish Major, will complete a multi-step process designed to help them break free from the past and move past their unhealthy relationships. After the ex-couples complete their healing journey, 10 sexy singles will arrive at the resort, giving the exes a new chance at love.

“‘Ex Isle’ is a concept that’s completely untapped in the world of dating and relationship shows, but one that’s familiar to so many of us,” said Marc Juris, WE tv’s president. “The couples featured will be given the tools and guidance to let go of the past and finally move towards building emotionally healthy and productive relationships. Viewers will witness a transformational journey that’s captivating, entertaining and relevant.”

Dr. Ish Major (Dr. Ish) has spent the last 10 years demystifying the male psyche. Dr. Ish is a board certified psychiatrist that attended The University of South Carolina and specializes in women, children and families. As a psychiatrist trained to help people with depression, anxiety and substance issues, he found that most of these problems are originally caused by broken relationships.

John Drury “The Dancing Trucker”, a CFFNation favorite is now an official spokesperson for Progressive Commercial Insurance. His infectious energy caught the attention of Progressive after watching his show, The Dancing Trucker which airs on CFFNation. John was invited to perform live at GATS 2015 and was joined by Progressive Commercial’s back up dancers and over 200 GATS attendees joined in on the fitness and fun.John himself lost over 100 lbs by dancing an became a certified Zumba instructor. John travels around the country as a professional truck driver and dances like everybody is watching. His goal is to motivate others to get up and move, just like he did.

CFFNation.com will air episode 2 of Truck Tank tonight at 7:00pm CST.

Episode 2 of Truck Tank will air tonight only on CFFNation.com. CFFNation.com is the first digital network dedicated to the transportation industry. Truck Tank is an entrepreneur pitch contest filmed at the Great American Trucking Show, held in Dallas Texas.

The second episode features the first five contestants. Their products include a solar powered generator and a film company devoted to telling the stories of the men and women of transportation industry. These entrepreneurs traveled from around the country to pitch their transportation industry related business ideas to an esteemed panel of judges. The judges panel includes RJ Grimshaw, Bethany Williams, Don Daseke, and Matt Manero.

The winners of Truck Tank will receive a minimum of $5000 and one year of business coaching from Bethany Williams. Bethany is the host of Home Made Money, only on CFFNATION.com.